The atypical forest coverage of these groups of islands made up of 12 different types of forests constitutes 86.2% of its total land area. From these reserve and protected tropical rain forests so far 2,200 varieties of plants have been recorded out of which 200 are endemic and 1,300 do not occur in mainland India. About 170 medicinal plants have been identified on these islands of which 150 species are endemic to the islands. A digital database on plant resources of the islands indicates the medicinal value of over 400 plant species.

1. Andaman & Nicobar Medicinal Plants Board was constituted with objective of developing conservation strategies for the cultivation of 14 selected prioritized medicinal plants in the islands.
2. ICMR’s Regional Medical Research Centre is documenting traditional healing practices of the indigenous population of these islands.